Hinge pin lock



Aug. 13, 1957 RD. MCPHEE HINGE PIN LOCK Filed July 22, 1954 E 2E Y RH M m 8 N0 0 W m A D N 0 m A R m United States Patent 2,802,369 HINGE PINLOCK Application July 22, 1954, Serial No. 445,101

21 Claims. 01. 74-254 riThis invention relates to pivoted link chains and more particularly to locking means for. the hinge pins which pivotally connect the chain links together for holding the pins against axial displacement.

. "In pivoted link chains the links usually have aligned bores forreceiving the hinge pins and particularly in a miningmachine cutter chain, the pins are held against rotation relative to the chain blocks or cutter links and are locked against axial displacement from the linkbores. Many types of pin locks have heretofore been devised and the present invention contemplates improve ments over known types of pin locks in that the locking elements may be easily driven into place to lock the pins and may 'be readily driven out of locking position to permitaxialremoval of the pins when desired. The locking means is of a simple, rugged design which may be readily applied to a conventional form of chain with a minimum of change and expense.

,-An, object of the present invention is to provide an improved pivoted link chain. Another object is to provide an improved locking means for the hinge pins of a pivoted link chain. Yet another object is to provide an improved locking means including deformable locking elements which may be readily driven into locking position and may be readily driven out of locking position when desired to permit removal of the pins. A further object is to provide an improved hinge pin lock of a simple, durable and inexpensive design. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the ensuing description.

1 -'In the accompanying drawing there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

- In this drawing:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side view of a cutter chain in which an illustrative form of the invention is embodied. *Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are longitudinal vertical sections taken onlines 3-3 and 4-4 respectively of Fig. 2.

, -Figs. .5, 6, 7 and 8 are horizontal sections taken in the plane of line 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing the pin locking means 'in different positions.

. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a hinge pin audits associatedlocking elements, with the latter separated from the pin for illustrative purposes.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the plane of Fig. 6, showing a locking element in locking position.

The cutter chain, generally designated 1, comprises a chain block or cutter link 2 pivotally connected by connecting links 3 to the blocks 2, and the blocks 2 and the connecting links 3 have aligned bores 4 and for receiving hinge pins 6.- The blocks each has its base formedwith parallel side portions 7 having lateral gibs 8 engageable with the guides of a conventional cutter bar .opguide frame, shown at 9 in Fig. 1. The block bores 4 rmed in theparallel side portions'7 of', the block base and have fiat or plane sides 10 engaging flattened or plane surfaces 11 formed along the lengths of one side of the pins for holding the latter against rotation in the bores of the base, all in a well-known manner.

Now referring to the improved locking means for securing the hinge pins against axial displacement from the bores of the side portions of the block-base, it will be noted that the hinge pins are each slotted or grooved at 12 longitudinally along the plane surfaces 11, as shown in Fig. 9, and the inner ends of these slots or grooves are outwardly curved or inclined at 13. Evidently the slots or grooves12 may be formed at any point circumferentially about the pins. Improv-ed locking elements or metallic pieces 14 are desirably composed of deformable metal and are generally rectangular in shape, and these locking elements are provided with oppositely disposed inclined surfaces or beveled ends 15 providing wedge-shape end portions 16.

When the hinge pin-s 6 are in the position, shown in Fig. 5, within the link-bores 4 :and 5 the locking elements or pieces 14 may be inserted endwise Within the slots or grooves 12 and when the locking elements are in the position shown they may be driven inwardly within the slots or grooves in any suitable manner and as they are driven inwardly, their inner tapered end portions 16 are deflected laterally by the curved or inclined ends 13 of the slot-s into a space 17 provided within the bore 5 by the flattening off of the hinge pin; The inwardly deformed ends of the locking elements project laterally when in the locking position shown and the bent or deformed por-, tions thereof cooperate with the inner walls 18 of the parallel side portions 7 of the block-base (see also Fig. 10) to lock the hinge pins against axial displacement in either direction. When it is desired to remove the hinge pins, one of the locking elements may be driven inwardly entirely within the space 17 and outside of the pin slot or groove, as shown in Fig. 7, :and atthat time the hinge pin may be driven axially or hammered out from the link-bores, in the manner shown in Fig. 8.

Instead of driving one of the locking elements 14 in: 'wardly as above described to permit release of the hinge pin, the hinge pin may be driven axially or hammered out from the link-bores to deform or shear off the inner locking portion of the locking element.

As a result of this invention an improved hinge pin lock is provided whereby the pins may be firmly locked in place and may be readily removed when desired. The improved locking elements may be manufactured at low cost and may be easily driven into place and may be easily driven out of locking position to permit removal of the hinge pins when desired. The improved locking means is of a simple and durable design and may 'be applied to :a conventional chain with a minimum of change. These and other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art. i i -While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. In a pivoted link chain,.cooperating chain links having aligned bores, a hinge pin received in said bores for pivotally connecting said links together, and means for locking said pin against axial displacement from the bore of one link comprising a groove extending longitudinally along one side of said pin and terminating'at its inner end within the bore of the other link, said other Link having a space therein inwardly of an inwardly'facitig 3 surface on said one link and outwardly beyond the pinperiphery, and a deformable locking element driven endwise in said groove, said groove having an inclined inner end forde'flecting the inner end portion of said" locking element laterally within said bore of said other link and into said space into cooperation with said inwardly facing surface of the said one link for securing said pin thereto. 2. A pivoted link chain as set forth in claim 1 wherein said other link has said space within its bore for receiving the deflected end portion of said locking element as the latter is driven inwardly as aforesaid, and said locking element is adapted to be driven endwise entirely within said space out of locking relation with the pin to release the, latter for endwise removal from its associated link.

3. A pivoted link chain as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidpin has a plane side surface cooperating with a plane surface. on said one link to hold the pin against rotation, and said groove is formed along said plane pin-surface.

4. A pivoted link chain as set forth in claim lwherein said locking element is. generally rectangular in shape and has a beveled wedgelike end.

5. A pivoted link chain as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking element is composed of readily deformable metal.

6. A pivoted link chain as set forth in claim 1 wherein said other link provides said space for receiving the deflected end portion of said locking element as the latter is driven inwardly as aforesaid, and the deflected end portion of said locking element is sheared off by the pin to release said locking element as said pin is moved endwise to effect its removal from the link.

7. A pivoted link chain as set forth in claim 1 wherein said other link provides said space for receiving the deflected end portion of said locking element as the latter is driven inwardly as aforesaid, and the deflected end portion of said locking element is deformed by the pin to release said locking element as said pin is driven endwise to effect its removal from its associated link.

8. In combination, cooperating chain links one of which has parallel portions between which the other link projects, said parallel portions and said other link having aligned bores for receiving a hinge pin, a hinge pin received in said bores for pivotally connecting said links together, said pin having a flattened side surface and said bores in said parallel portions having flat side wall portions engaging said side surface of said pin to hold the latter against rotation in the bores of said parallel portions, said flattened pin surface where the pin extends through said bore in said other link providing a space ex.- tending between the inner surfaces of said parallel portions, and means for locking said hinge pin against axial 4 Within the bore of said other link into locking engage ment with the inner side surfaces of said parallel portions. 10. In a pivoted link chain, cooperating chain links, a hinge pin extending transversely of said links for pivotally connecting said links together, said links having plane abutting faces spaced inwardly from an outer side of the chain in parallelism with said outer side, and

means for locking said hinge pin against axial displacement from one link comprising a groove extending longitudinally along one side of said pin, said groove opening through an end of said pin and extending inwardly beyond the inwardly facing surface of said one link, and

' a deformable locking element driven endwise in said extending transversely thereof within the outer sides displacement from the bores of said parallel portions comprising a deformable locking element engaging said pin and when driven inwardly having its inner deformed portion projecting into said space. within the bore of said other link into locking engagement with an inner side surface of one of said parallel portions.

9. In combination, cooperating chain links one of which has parallel portions between which the other link projects, said parallel portions and said other link having aligned bores for receiving a hinge pin, a hinge pin rethereof for receiving the deflected end of said locking element as the latter is driven inwardly as aforesaid, said locking element when driven endwise from said groove entering said space completely out of locking relation with said pin for releasing the latter for endwise removal from its associated link.

12. In combination, cooperating chain linksone -of which has parallel side portions between which the other link projects, said parallel side portions and said other link having aligned bores for receiving a hinge pin, a hinge pin extending transversely of said links and received in said aligned bores, said pin having a flattened side surface and said bores in said parallel side portions having flat side wall portions engaging said plane sidesurface of said pin to hold the latter against rotation in the bores of said parallel portions, said flat pin surface where said pin extends through said bore in said other link providing a space extending between the outer surfaces of said other link, and means for locking said hinge pin against axial displacement from the bores of said parallel portions comprising a slot extending longitudinally along the peripheral surface of the pin, said slot having an inclined inner end terminating inwardly of the inner surface of one of said parallel portions within the bore of said other link, and a deformable locking element driven endwise in said groove, said inclined inner end of said groove deflecting the 'inner end portion of said locking element as the latter is driven inwardly laterally into cooperation with said inwardly facing surface of said side portion into locking engagement therewith.

13. In combination, cooperating chain links one of which has parallel side portions between which the other link projects, said parallel portions and said other link having aligned bores for receiving a hinge pin, a hinge pin extending transversely of said links and received in ceived in said bores for pivotally connecting said links together, said pin having a flattened side surface and said bores in said parallel portions having flat side wall. portions engaging said side surface of said pin to hold. the latter against rotation in the bores of said parallel portions, said flattened pin surface where the. pin extends through said bore in said other link providing a space extending between the inner surfaces of said parallel portions, and means for locking said hinge pin against axial displacement from the bores of said parallel. portions comprising deformable locking elements engaging said pin. and when driveninwardly having their inner deformedgportions projecting into said space respectively said aligned bores, said pin having a flattened side surface and said portions in said parallel portions having flatside wall portions engaging said side surface of said pin to hold the latter against rotation in the bores of said par allel portions, said flattened pin surface where the pinextends through said bore of said other link providing a space extending between the inner plane surfaces of said parallel portions, and means for locking said hinge pin against axial displacement from the bores of said parallel portions comprising grooves extending lengthwise of the pin along the exterior thereof and opening through the ends of said pin, said grooves terminating at their inner ends within said space inwardly of the outer side surfaces of said other link, and deformable locking elements driven inwardly in said grooves respectively, said grooves having inclined inner ends disposed inwardly of said surfaces of said parallel portions, said locking elements hay ing their inner ends deflected laterally by said inclined ends of said grooves into said space respectively in locking engagement with said inner side surfaces of said parallel portions.

14. A combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein one of said locking elements when driven inwardly in its groove completely within said space out of locking relation with the pin releasing said pin for endwise removal from its associated link.

15. In a pivoted link chain, associated chain links having aligned bores, a hinge pin received in said bores for pivotally connecting said links together, one of said links having an inwardly facing plane surface with which an outwardly facing surface of the other link engages, and means for locking said pin against axial displacement with respect to one of said associated links including a slot extending lengthwise along the exterior periphery of the pin, said slot at its outer end opening out through an end of said pin and at its inner end extending inwardly beyond said outwardly facing surface of said other link into the bore of said other link, and a deformable locking key driven into said slot lengthwise of said pin, the inner end of said key as the latter is driven inwardly being deflected laterally by the inner end wall of said slot into locking engagement with said inwardly facing surface of one of said links, the deflected end of said key disposed within the bore of said other link.

16. A pivoted link :chain as set forth in claim 15 wherein a space is disposed within the bore of said other link inwardly of the side surfaces of said link and with which said grooves communicates, said key when driven inward- 1y completely into said space being released from said pin to permit axial displacement of said pin from its asso ciated link.

17. In combination, cooperating chain links one of which has parallel portions between which the other link projects, said parallel portions and said other link having aligned bores for receiving a hinge pin, a hinge pin received in said bores for pivotally connecting said links together, said parallel portions having inwardly facing surfaces at their inner sides and said other link having a space therein intermediate said inwardly facing surfaces beyond the exterior periphery of said pin, said space being disposed within the bore of said other link, and means for locking said hinge pin against axial displacement from the bores of said parallel portions comprising a deformable locking element engaging said pin and when driven inwardly having its inner deformed portion projecting into said space into locking engagement with an inwardly facing surface of one of said parallel portions.

18. In combination, cooperating chain links one of which has parallel portions between which the other link I projects, said parallel portions and said other link having aligned bores for receiving a hinge pin, a hinge pin received in said bores for pivotally connecting said links together, said parallel portions having inwardly facing surfaces at their inner sides and said other link having a space therein intermediate said inwardly facing surfaces beyond the exterior periphery of said pin, said space being disposed within the bore of said other link, and means for locking said hinge pin against axial displacement from the bores in said parallel portions comprising deformable locking elements engaging said pin and when driven inwardly having their inner deformed portions projecting into said space respectively into locking engagement with said inwardly facing surfaces of said parallel portions, said deformed portions of said locking elements when the latter are in locking position projecting within the bore of said other link.

19. In combination, cooperating chain links one of which has parallel side portions between which the other link projects, said parallel side portions and said other link having aligned bores for receiving a hinge pin, a hinge pin extending transversely of said link and received in said aligned bores for pivotally connecting said links together, and means for locking said hinge pin against axial displacement from the bores of said parallel portions comprising a slot extending longitudinally along the peripheral surface of said pin, said slot having an inclined inner end terminating inwardly of the inner surface of one of said parallel portions within the bore of said other link, and a deformable locking element driven endwise in said groove, said inclined inner end of said groove deflecting the inner portion of said locking element as the latter is driven inwardly laterally into cooperation with said inwardly facing surface of said side portion in locking engagement therewith, said inner portion of said locking element when the latter is in locking position extending into the bore of said other link.

20. In combination, cooperating chain links one of which has parallel portions between which the other link projects, said parallel portions and said other link having aligned bores for receiving a hinge pin, a hinge pin received in said bores for pivotally connecting said links together, said parallel portions having inwardly facing surfaces at their inner sides and said other link having a space therein intermediate said inwardly facing surfaces beyond the exterior periphery of said pin, said space being disposed within the bore of said other link, and means for locking said hinge pin against axial displacement from the bores of said parallel portions comprising a deformable locking element and means on said pin for deforming a portion of said locking element when the latter is driven inwardly relative to said pin so that said deformed portion projects into said space into locking engagement with an inwardly facing surface of one of said parallel portions.

21. A combination as set forth in claim 20, wherein a pair of deformable locking elements is provided for said pin and both locking elements have portions deformed References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Simmons Nov. 19, 1946 Barrett Dec. 30, 1952 

